Elastic exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

The elastic exercise apparatus includes a flexible and stretchable resistance band, and a flexible and stretchable sleeve that is supported about the flexible and stretchable resistance band. The flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are both formed in a continuous closed loop. The apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user such as in a criss-cross pattern between the legs and arms. A fastener may be disposed between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween.

RELATED CASE

Priority for this application is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/997,077 which was filed on May 21, 2014 and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to an improved elastic exercise apparatus that includes a safety sleeve cover for an elastic band.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One form of exercise apparatus is a continuous loop of rubber or a synthetic rubber. Such a device may be provided in different diameters for providing different levels of resistance. These bands are used for fitness purposes. They may be used for both upper and lower body training for a variety of strength, flexibility and rehabilitation exercises. However, these rubber band devices are not safe when used alone as they may break in use due to, for example, over stretching of the band. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved elastic exercise apparatus and in particular one in which there is provided, over the rubber band construction a protective sleeve. Because some individuals may be allergic to latex, the flexible and stretchable sleeve also functions as a protective cover over the inner latex band. This arrangement prevents the user from having any direct contact with the latex band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided an elastic exercise apparatus comprising, a flexible and stretchable resistance band, and a flexible and stretchable sleeve that is supported about the flexible and stretchable resistance band. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are both formed in a continuous closed loop; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a stretchable plastic material; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a latex material; the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed of a stretchable fabric material; the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed and arranged in an accordion pleat; the apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user; the apparatus is disposed relative to the user between the two legs and two arms of the user and criss-crossed between the legs and arms; further including a fastener between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween; the fastener comprises a stitching; the fastener comprises multiple stitches spacedly disposed around the continuous closed loop; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed as a solid member; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with a rectangular cross-section; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom surfaces that are wider than opposed side surfaces thereof, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve; and the flexible and stretchable sleeve is formed in a circular pattern about the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the use of the elastic exercise apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the elastic exercise apparatus as taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the completed elastic exercise apparatus of the present invention in a continuous closed loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated an elastic exercise apparatus that is comprised of a flexible and stretchable resistance band B, and a flexible and stretchable sleeve S. The band B may be constructed of a flexible plastic material such as being constructed of latex. The particular form of the band is important and is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 as having a substantially rectangular cross-section with a width W and thickness T.

The flexible and stretchable sleeve S may be constructed of a stretchable fabric or, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may be constructed with a pleated configuration to enable the sleeve to stretch longitudinally. Both the resistance band B and the sleeve S are formed in a continuous closed loop as illustrated in FIG. 3. This closed loop may be formed by securing together opposite ends of the respective resistance band and sleeve.

In the preferred form of the band illustrated in FIG. 2, the dimensions W and T may be provided in several different dimensions so as to provide different degrees of resistance. Because this apparatus may be used for contact by the shoes or sneakers, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is preferred that the band B be constructed with top and bottom surfaces that are wider than opposed side surfaces thereof. In that way the top surface is engageable by the foot of the user over the flexible and stretchable sleeve. Refer to FIG. 1.

The flexible and stretchable sleeve is preferably constructed of a fabric material with pleating. This fabric material is also formed in a continuous closed loop and may include one or two side stitchings in order to form the fabric sleeve. This sleeve provides protection for the device in the event that the inner band breaks. Also, the flexible and stretchable sleeve being constructed of a fabric material, is preferably not a latex product. Because some individuals may be allergic to latex, the flexible and stretchable sleeve S also functions as a protective cover over the inner latex band. This arrangement prevents the user from having any direct contact with the latex band.

In the illustrated embodiment in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 the dimensions W and T may vary depending upon the desired level of resistance. For example, the band B may be anywhere from ¼ to ½ inches wide (W) and ⅛ to 1 inch thick (T).

In accordance with the present invention there may also preferably be provided some type of securing element between the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve. This may be in the form of a stitching X schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. Refer also to FIG. 3 wherein stitching may be provided at X at particular locations along the continuous loop. This fastening arrangement between the resistance band and sleeve will maintain the resistance band and sleeve in the same relative position therebetween. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the illustrated stitching may be eliminated. In place of a stitching, some type of a glue or adhesive may be used at continuous or spaced locations between the resistance band and stretchable sleeve.

Because some individuals may be allergic to latex, the flexible and stretchable sleeve S also functions as a protective cover over the inner latex band B. This arrangement prevents the user from having any direct contact with the latex band B. The elastic exercise band can be engaged with any part of the body or attached to a machine or anchored to an object. For some exercises such as Pilates, the band may be used or engaged with the limbs of the user and perhaps also attached to an exercise chair or machine.

Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An elastic exercise apparatus comprising, a flexible and stretchable resistance band, and a flexible and stretchable sleeve that is supported about the flexible and stretchable resistance band.
 2. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are both formed in a continuous closed loop.
 3. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a stretchable plastic material.
 4. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a latex material.
 5. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed of a stretchable fabric material.
 6. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed and arranged in an accordion pleat.
 7. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein the apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user.
 8. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus is disposed relative to the user between the two legs and two arms of the user and criss-crossed between the legs and arms.
 9. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 2 including a fastener between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween.
 10. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fastener comprises a stitching.
 11. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fastener comprises multiple stitches spacedly disposed around the continuous closed loop.
 12. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed as a solid member.
 13. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with a rectangular cross-section.
 14. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 13 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom surfaces that are equal to or wider than opposed side surfaces thereof, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.
 15. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.
 16. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is formed in a circular pattern about the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.
 17. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a stretchable plastic material, and wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a latex material.
 18. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed and arranged in an accordion pleat, wherein the apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user, and wherein the apparatus is disposed relative to the user between the two legs and two arms of the user and criss-crossed between the legs and arms.
 19. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 17 including a fastener between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween.
 20. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the fastener comprises multiple stitches spacedly disposed around the continuous closed loop. 